Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, headaches, and a psychiatric disability (depression). The evidence does not support these claims as his current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to its inextricability with a pending claim for service connection for TBI.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, joint pain disorder, reaction to an anthrax shot, migraine headaches (secondary to PTSD), chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative changes, and fibromyalgia. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing addendum opinions regarding his hearing loss, sinus condition, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Veteran's brain arachnoid cyst is rated noncompensably disabling. Prior to May 2, 2012, his migraine headaches were not manifested by prostrating attacks. From May 2, 2012, the Veteran has been experiencing prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month and warrants a 30% rating.

The Veteran's incisional neuroma has been rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests clarification on whether a videoconference or Travel Board hearing is desired.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the appellant's left knee, left ankle, and migraine headache disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Veteran's cervical neck strain and mixed tension and migraine headaches have been granted higher disability ratings, while the status post lumbar strain remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran developed bilateral knee strain and recurrent headaches as a result of her active service, including her service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for patellofemoral chondromalacia of the bilateral knee. The remaining issues on appeal (pseudofolliculitis barbae, ear condition, eye disorder, and migraines) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as the evidence shows that his current headache disorder, specifically migraines, can be traced back to his military service.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30% from November 17, 2015. Prior to this date, the rating was noncompensable.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches due to a TBI in service is granted. However, the Veteran's thoracic nerve sheath tumor is not related to his military service and thus denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for migraine headaches from January 1, 2009 to December 15, 2013 was denied as the schedular criteria used to assess his condition are not shown to be inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for residuals of right heel surgery from February 28, 2014 to the present was denied as the schedular criteria used to assess his condition are not shown to be inadequate.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 22, 2009. The effective date for the award of TDIU is set to July 20, 2009.